Newport, OR to Crater Lake
 

We are spending a few days going down the coast of Oregon, then to Crater Lake and on to the coast of CA.

What is the best way to get to Crater Lake from Newport? Also, is driving from Newport to the drive around Crater Lake and onto Grants Pass, too much for one day?

Google map will give you the distances and the estimated driving time.

Almost certainly taking US 20 direct from Newport out to I-5 is the fastest way back to Crater Lake. Driving a bit further south on US 101 along the coast will be much more scenic, of course. The stretch of coastline south of Newport is quite nice. You could take OR 34 from Waldport instead of US 20 directly from Newport, which would take a bit more time.

That does sound like quite a long day to drive all the way to Crater Lake then on to Grant's Pass - and what do you plan to do at the Lake? Take a boat ride? Do some hiking?

Use Google Maps to estimate driving times (they are just estimates - I like Google Maps for the ease of use not the accuracy of the driving time estimates). And check various routes.

Newport-Crater Lake- Grants Pass would be a very full and unpleasant day of driving. Most of the 350+ miles is on two-lane roads that are not among the most scenic in Oregon.

Crater Lake is so far off the beaten path that to enjoy what it has to offer you will need to stay there at least one night--preferably two nights.

A much more enjoyable way to spend the day would be to explore the beautiful stretch of the Oregon Coast from Newport to Reedsport and from there take OR-38 (one of the most scenic roads in Oregon; it follows the Umpqua River), OR-138, and I-5 to Grants Pass. This 21

The first drives requires about seven hours of driving; the second drive is about 215 miles and it requires about five hours behind the wheel.

Thanks for all your help, might have to change our plans.

Do 20 to hwy 5 to 227 in Canyonville then 62 to Crater Lake.
Spend the night at the Prospect Hotel, they have great food. Then the next day go to Crater Lake.
DO NOT MISS Crater Lake. World Famous, deepest Lake in the USA.